Blockchain certificates for intellectual property management. Nürnberg, 5 December 2017

Transcription

1 Blockchain certificates for intellectual property management Nürnberg, 5 December 2017

2 Why the blockchain will revolutionize IP How to make your company future-proof? Together with partners, create a blockchain-based alternative for conventional IPR that is quicker, more transparent, impossible to manipulate, and works without middlemen. We need to be aware that with blockchain technology the private sector will become an ancillary record keeper. -- Francis Gurry WIPO Director General

3 Public blockchains Decentralized Permissionless Uncensorable Resilient Private blockchains Distributed Permissioned Trust based

4 Public blockchains are a new common {Common: a resource accessible to all members of a society, including natural materials such as air, water and a habitable earth. These resources are held in common, not owned privately.}

5 A public blockchain is a public registry with very unique features

6 Transactions and timestamps The blockchain only contains transactions (no files, no documents, ) Each transaction includes a timestamp (10 min average accuracy for Bitcoin) How can we use the blockchain as public record if we are not able to store data on it?

7 Cryptographic fingerprints Any arbitrary set of data can be reduced to short string of bits, called a hash. The Bitcoin protocol allows a few options for adding short textual data to a transaction. We have a public registry!

8 The challenges of IP management Patent trolls Multifaceted and complex: Securing trade secrets Claiming copyrights Proving prior use Make defensive disclosures Confidentiality agreements Technology licenses... Risks: product delays, wasting R&D money, legal costs, going out of business, litigations, Competitors Employees Hackers Partners The blockchain allows companies to create solid foundations to neutralize these risks. At low effort and low cost.

9 The whole innovation lifecycle on the blockchain Lab notes Proof of use May 2016 Lab picture Proof of use January 2017 Private Public Disclose inventions on a decentralized file system (IPFS). Invention March 2016 Updated invention October 2016 Lab dataset Proof of use February 2017 Updated invention April 2017 Invention disclosure November 2017 Blockchain

10 Bernstein solutions for a future-proof IP portfolio Bernstein is a web service that allows innovators to register IP assets on the blockchain. Bernstein s unique protocol will create blockchain certificates that can prove: existence, integrity and ownership. Blockchain certificates are linked together to create a trail of records of the whole innovation lifecycle. To improve security and reliability, Bernstein protocol is deployable on multiple blockchains, both public and private. Bernstein also provides digital certificates issued by timestamping authorities. EU - Bundesdruckerei China - Unitrust Japan, USA, Korea - coming soon

11 How does Bernstein work? IP owners just need to select their files, and Bernstein will take care of: 1. inserting a cryptographic fingerprint of the files in a bitcoin transaction 2. encrypting all files and associated metadata in the user s browser 3. upload an encrypted copy of the files on an immutable repository This bitcoin transaction is the root of the blockchain certificate issued by Bernstein. Your browser IP assets are not disclosed to anyone, not even to Bernstein itself. Bernstein certificates are independently verifiable by any third party exclusively against the blockchain. The encrypted content of your innovations can be stored at multiple locations: cloud, local, IPFS. Cloud, IPFS, blockchain invention files upload local encryption encrypted cloud and IPFS storage blockchain registration Blockchain certificate November 2017

12 Bernstein blockchain certificates

13 Benefits of blockchain certificates Secure trade secrets Prove prior knowledge Prove prior use Fight patent trolls Deter unloyal employees and partners Define and protect the largest IP perimeter Secure copyright Keep your privacy Notarize every file format Save time, save money Easy deployment even to large, dispersed organizations. In a first-to-file world, defensive IP strategies are becoming increasingly important.

14 Use case Enhanced confidentiality agreements The NDA dilemma: broad unenforceable specific complex, discloses trade secrets Blockchain enhanced NDA: simple, strong, private

15 Use case Securing 3D models Copyright claims: the traditional way 3D model redacted 3D model Copyright office Consistent enforcement and statutory damages may dissuade infringers (anyone with a 3D printer). But strong copyright claims are required. Slow and inconvenient Reveal trade secrets Expensive Limited geographies Copyright claims: the blockchain way 3D model Blockchain Certificate May 2017 No need to redact files Perfect confidentiality Strong ownership claim Convenient, quick, global. 3D Printing May Lead to Increased Copyright Litigation Mar 13, 2017

16 Use case Better defensive publishing Defensive publishing is getting more popular, but it is not trivial neither cheap to execute in a robust and indisputable way. In-house publication date can be challenged public availability is hard to prove Commercial services expensive limited visibility, for paid access Blockchain registration + IPFS publishing robust and indisputable timestamp proven public availability optionally anonymous convenient and inexpensive always secures the largest perimeter not just for documents (datasets, visuals,...) freely available to anyone Disclosure certificate October 2017

17 Legislators are paving the road for blockchain records

18 What is missing? Identity! Blockchain certificates only creates a link between some data and the owner of a specific secret. The blockchain lacks any identity feature. Therefore a traditional legal framework that makes the best use of the certificates is still needed. The futures of identity 1. self-sovereign 2. authorities embrace blockchain

19 Our vision Decentralized technologies for IP Bernstein will keep selecting and building on top of the most secure, uncensorable, and reliable decentralized technologies: Bitcoin, IPFS, sidechains, Today Making the most of the current opportunities in the IP market. Tomorrow Turn Bernstein into the portal that enables the whole IP industry to access decentralized infrastructures. Eventually launching its own token to enable a complete new way to secure, manage and trade intellectual property. On a global scale.

20 Team & Contacts Marco Barulli Managing Director Paul Reboh Chief Technology Officer Jean-Maxime Rivière Business Development Andy Goldstein Advisor Bernstein Technologies GmbH Maximilianstr Munich - Germany web: info@bernstein.io Bernstein is a EU registered trademark Reg. N